Amine-N-heterocyclic carbene cascade catalysis for the asymmetric synthesis of fused indane derivatives with multiple chiral centres

An aminocatalytic asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction of 2,4-dienals and labile 1-indenones in situ generated from 3-bromo-1-indanones was developed, producing highly fused indane products with multiple chiral centres followed by a cascade N-heterocyclic carbene-mediated benzoin condensation.